US designates four Iran-backed militias as terrorists in Iraq

In September 2023, the United States took significant action against Iran's influence in the Middle East by designating four Iraq-based militias as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. These militias—Harakat al-Nujaba, Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya, and Kata'ib al-Imam Ali—were previously identified as Specially Designated Global Terrorists by the Department of Treasury. This designation highlights the ongoing concerns over Iran-backed groups that have been involved in a series of attacks on U.S. interests, including the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and bases utilized by U.S. and Coalition forces. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that these militias have a history of using proxy names to obscure their Iranian links and activities._The Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD) has noted the close ties between these groups and Iran, stating that they form the core of an umbrella organization, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI), which has seen increased prominence in the wake of the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. This network is believed to be responsible for numerous attacks across Iraq, Syria, and Jordan, contributing to instability in the region and directly endangering U.S. personnel._ The implications of the U.S. designations are profound as they aim to disrupt the operational capacity of these militias that operate under the Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition that originally formed to combat ISIS but is now heavily influenced by Iran. Experts suggest that U.S. policies, particularly during the Trump administration, have opened avenues for addressing the activities of these militias without inciting widespread violence in Iraq, which had previously been a concern. The U.S. administration's strategy of labeling these groups could be seen as an effort to control Iranian influence and promote stability in a tumultuous region. The intertwining of political, military, and sectarian interests in Iraq complicates the scenario further, making it a contentious hotspot for both regional and international actors.